Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-30

lo SiiO OuUf VI LIC VI
the people to see that the greatest
possible amount of good is accom-
plished, and that a return in some
degree commensurate with the sacri-
fees made by the taxpayers is Sc
cured. Nothing makes such hand
some return to State as the provis-
ion made for the elementary training
of her children, and this subject
should always demand our most
thoughtful and earnest attention.,
and our wisest and most progressive
legislation. The superintendent of
education has been most active in
his efforts to enkindle in the public
minda due conception of the vital
Importance of popular education to
the safety and well-being of society,
and has visited every county in the
State, addressing audiences and CIV
ing his personal supervision to the
conduct of the public schools. 1t is
hoped that these efforts will create
new and increased interest in this
important department ofthe Govern
mentN
y eSouth Carolina College is rep
resented to be in an encouraging
condition, and the Governor states as
gratifying fact that though the law
requiring tuition became operative
with the fall session of the present
year, yet the number of matriculates
has already reached 160, the average
of this date in the past five years
being 162. Speaking of the agricul-
tural department, reference is made
to the laboratory and the field work
carried on, and the Governor says, in
the character and extent of its eX-
perimental work, this department is
not surpassed by any agricultural
college in the country. He asks fa-
vorable consideration of the scheme
for the reorganization of the, institu-
tion on a university basis, which
scheme will be submitted to the Gen
eral Assembly by the trustees of the
college.
Of the South Carolina Military
Academy the message says that in
stitution is fulfilling in each of its
departments the important service
committed to it, and enjoys the ap-
proval of those charged by the State
with its supervision. The usual ap-
preparation for the maintenance of
the academy is recommended.
Of Clafhin College the message
says a marked increase and improve
ment in attendance is reported, and
the State farm attached is successful
ly conducted and contributes in
large degree to its economical con-
duct. Attention is called to the in
adequate salaries of the professors.
The institution for the deaf, dumb
and the blind is also represented to
be doing its philanthropic work we'll,
and an appropriation is recommend
ed for the introduction of a better
water supply and electric lights in
addition to the usual annual appro-
priation.
Of the Department of Agriculture,
the message says: "During the year
the department has exercised a strict
supervision over the sale of CONNER
cial fertilizers and endeavored to pro-
tect consumers of the goods from i'm
position of any character. This is
one of the most important duties
with which the department is charg-
ed, because it is not too much to say
that the success and prosperity of a
great majority of farmers of the State
depend upon the quality of the fer
I filf1sfs put upon our markets. 1t Is
gratifying, therefore, 10 know from
the reports Of the chemist of the de-
partment that the proportion of fer
tilizers showing deficiencies in essen
tial ingredients is decreasing annual
ly, while complaints of spurious fer
tilizers are exceedingly rare. The
analytical work of the department
has heretofore been performed by the
chemist without assistance, but the
demand for the chemical eXalnina-
tion of waters, ore, kaolin, &C., is in
creasing so rapidly that it is the in
tention of the board TO meet this de-
mand by the employment of such
additional assistance as the chemist
may require. During the past year
96,S37 tons of fertilizers were sold in
the State, and, so far as possible, in
spected by the department as requir-
ed by law. The board of agricul-
ture made the annual inspection of
the phosphate territory, and submits
brief report on the result of its in
spection. In view of the fact that
special phosphate commission, ap-
pointed by the Legislature, has been
charged with a thorough investiga-
tion of the phosphate interests of the
State, the board and commissioner
have not deemed it necessary to SUBJ
nit any extended report. The re-
port of the special assistant in the
phosphate department covers fully
the operations of that branch of the
departments work. The amount of
rock removed from the navigable
streams is larger and the royalty
greater than in any previous year.
There were 202,757 tons of rock re-
moved and the royalty received by
the State was S20S,S42. The depart
ment last year entered into arrange
ments with the United States signal
service bureau for the purpose OF es-
tablishing stations of observation,
where accurate data relating to the
climate of the city and State could be
collected, and to arrange for the dis
play of signals giving the weather
predictions at suitable points. The
work has been greatly enlarged du-
ring the year, and at this time there
are thirty-two observation and sixty
four display stations in operation.
Several of the railroads telegraph the
indications daily and have them
posted at their depots, and one rail
road carries the signal flags on its
passenger trains. The signal service
bureau detailed an observer to take
charge of the station located in the
department building, and he has per-
formed his duties with great satisfac-
tion to the State. The Importance
of this work cannot be overestimated
and its many benefits and advantages
will be appreciated on an eXamina-
tion of the report of the observer.
The statistical report of the depart
ment shows an increase over last
year in the amount and value of
crops of the State. The seasons were
generally favorable, and the farmers
have realized more abundant har-
vests. The cotton crop will exceed
the crop of 1856 by -, ia bales, while
the yield of corn will exceed the
product of any year Of which we
have record. The departments is now
in thorough working order, and is
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